Chapter 18 • Verse 5
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्। यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्॥
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaśh chaiva pāvanāni manīṣhiṇām
Meaning
Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned; they must be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity, and austerity are purifiers of the wise.
Krishna's clear verdict: sacrifice, charity, and austerity must never be abandoned — they must be performed. These actions purify even the wise. They are essential duties, not optional extras.
Strength Reflection
"I continue sacrifice, charity, and austerity as essential purifying duties."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, I will never abandon sacrifice, charity, and discipline that purify me.